Wartime sacrifice repaid after 60 years

VICTORIAN houses have finally got their railings back - after a wait of more than 60 years. The original iron railings were cut down in Rochdale to help the war effort. But now they've been restored to 80 homes in the Milkstone, Deeplish, Wardleworth and Hamer districts as part of a £67.5m scheme to improve housing across Rochdale and Oldham.

VICTORIAN houses have finally got their railings back - after a wait of more than 60 years.

The original iron railings were cut down in Rochdale to help the war effort.

But now they've been restored to 80 homes in the Milkstone, Deeplish, Wardleworth and Hamer districts as part of a £67.5m scheme to improve housing across Rochdale and Oldham.

In 1940 all non-essential railings were melted down for iron and steel. All that remained of Rochdale's railings were short stumps, set in the stone plinths.

Area renewal manager Pete Maynard said: "Gangs of workers came along with oxy-acetylene torches, cut them down and took them off in a lorry.

"I think they went to a munitions factory in Ashton-under-Lyne."

The two and three bedroomed homes now have replacement metre high railings in front of their forecourts, at a cost of about £1,000 each house, including a new gate.

"The railings nicely finish the properties off. The homes will now be fit for another 100 years," said Mr Maynard.

Other work carried out as part of the £480,000 restoration programme in the area includes rebuilding of walls and restoration of stonework.

Coun Zulfiqar Ali said: "Refurbishing these properties provides a new lease of life for people's homes, keeping them warm, dry, safe and secure.

"Improving the external appearance brightens the neighbourhood as a whole and we have focussed on properties on some of the major routes into Rochdale."

Years of grime have been removed from the 19th century brickwork, walls have been re-pointed and new fascia installed. Some houses have also had rotten window frames replaced and drainpipes and gutters have been renewed.

John Greenwood, managing director of builders Greenwoods said: "The investment means we are now beginning to see a real improvement in the building fabric of the area.

"It is extremely satisfying to feel that you are playing a part in revitalizing a whole community."